The Master of Science (M.S.) degree will be awarded after students have successfully completed the requirements specified in one of the two following plans:

Plan I: Thesis Option

Students may satisfy the degree requirements by completing at least 30 approved semester hours; satisfactorily completing the laboratory rotations and formal graduate level course requirements including seminars; enrolling in at least six semester hours of thesis courses; and completing and defending a thesis acceptable to the thesis committee. All students must be continuously enrolled full time until the degree requirements are completed.

Students must specify a thesis committee and have the names on file in the Office of the Dean at least one semester before their graduation. The committee must consist of at least three members. These shall include the major professor, one other member from the Division of Biochemistry of the DBB (including emeritus faculty), and one member who shall be from outside the DBB. Research faculty may serve on the committee in addition to the core of three committee members who must be tenured or tenure-track faculty.

Plan II: Non-Thesis Option

Students may satisfy the degree requirements by completing at least 36 approved semester hours; satisfactorily completing the laboratory rotations and formal graduate level course requirements including seminars. All students must be continuously enrolled full time until the degree requirements are completed.